基于碳氮稳定同位素的太湖鱼类营养生态位研究

为探究太湖鱼类的营养生态位特征，于2019~2020年开展了太湖鱼类的碳氮稳定同位素调查，分析了鱼类营养生态位大小、生态位重叠度及营养级。研究结果表明，鱼类δ13C值范围为-27.67‰~-17.92‰，δ15N值范围为6.02‰~20.31‰。营养生态位大小（SEAc值）范围为0.14‰2~20.43‰2，其中黄颡鱼的生态位最大，光泽黄颡鱼的生态位最小。短颌鲚、陈氏短吻银鱼和鲢的SEAc值均较小，表明他们利用的食物源和生境范围较窄，鳙的SEAc值较大，表明其利用的食物源和生境范围较广。鱼类的营养生态位重叠度为0~70.6%。大银鱼与翘嘴鲌的生态位重叠度最大（70.6%），其次为鲈与翘嘴鲌（39.9%），其余物种间的生态位重叠度范围为0~38.9%。短颌鲚与其他肉食性鱼类的生态位重叠度较小，表明他们之间的食物资源竞争较弱。陈氏短吻银鱼与鲢、鳙在生态位上存在明显的分离，这与陈氏短吻银鱼专食浮游动物有关。鱼类营养级范围为0.73~3.62，鮠一种的营养级最高，泥鳅的营养级最低。分析表明，鱼类营养生态位的大小与其摄食的食物种类以及对不同生境的利用程度有关；大部分鱼类间生态位重叠度较低，表明鱼类在资源利用上存在较大分离。本研究结果也为太湖鱼类食物网分析及渔业资源管理提供了基础数据。     

长江口青草沙水库刀鲚食性转变

采用胃内含物法并结合碳氮稳定同位素分析,探讨长江口青草沙水库刀鲚(Coilia nasus)食物组成及其食性转变。基于胃内含物数据的聚类分析表明,刀鲚食物重量百分比(W%)在小个体(<99 mm)、中等个体(100~150 mm)和大个体(>150 mm)间两两差异显著;出现率(F%)和相对重要性指数百分比(IRI%)大个体与其他 2 个体长组差异显著,后两者无显著差异;数量百分比(N%)各体长组间均无显著差异。以上 4 种指数综合显示,小个体和大个体刀鲚分别主要摄食浮游动物和虾鱼类,中等大小个体刀鲚主要摄食浮游动物(F%、N%和 IRI%占优势)和鱼类(W%占优势);碳氮双稳定同位素混合模型亦表明,虾类和鱼类对大个体刀鲚有较大的食物贡献率。刀鲚的δ15N 随体长线性增加,δ13C 与体长呈二次多项函数关系,大个体的δ15N[(15.18±0.79)‰]和营养级(TL: 3.63±0.23)显著高于中等个体的δ15N[(13.87±0.68)‰]和 TL (3.26±0.20)(P<0.01),δ13C 差异不显著(P>0.05)。胃内含物法结合稳定同位素分析表明,刀鲚在生长发育中发生了食性转变,转变前后分别以水层和底层生物为主要食物来源,推测其作为优势种对该水库底层和水层食物网的营养耦合起着重要作用。     

太湖鲌鱼数量变化规律及生态效应分析

通过2003~2005年的食性分析和渔获物组成调查,研究了太湖翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌数量变化的规律及在鱼类群落演替过程的作用。食性分析表明:太湖翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌主要摄食鲚鱼,其次是小型鱼类和虾。其中鲚鱼在翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌消化道的出现率分别为95.24%、59.26%;在翘嘴红鲌食物中的重量组成比例为59.2%±11.4%。渔获量统计表明:1952~1958年鲌鱼平均年产量为406.4±102.5 t、占渔获总量的6.28%±0.85%;1987年达到历史最高产量1 090.8 t、占渔获总量7.65%;1993年后鲌鱼资源在快速减少,由1993年的922.3 t、占6.55%下降到近年的100~160 t、仅占渔获总量的0.4%~0.8%。2004年调查表明,在74 667kg渔获物中,翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌仅占0.0038%。分析历年渔获量变化趋势发现,随着鲌鱼数量的不断减少,鲚鱼和小型其它鱼类均呈相反的快速增加趋势,而银鱼则有大体一致的持续下降趋势。简单相关和偏相关分析发现,鲌鱼-鲚鱼、鲌鱼-小型鱼类渔获量的负相关关系达到显著水平;鲌鱼-银鱼渔获量的正相关关系达到显著水平。研究认为:太湖翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌对鲚鱼和小型鱼类有很强的抑制作用,对银鱼可能有间接促进作用;人为过度捕捞使翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌数量不断减少,从而导致鱼类群落向鲚鱼为绝对优势种、小型鱼类不断增加的方向变化。鲚鱼和小型鱼类主要摄食浮游动物,其快速增加抑制了浮游动物、有利于浮游植物生长,这是太湖蓝藻频繁暴发的生物学因素之一。     

基于稳定同位素的口虾蛄食性分析

为了探讨口虾蛄的食物组成,利用稳定同位素方法对2015年5月在汕尾红海湾海域采集的口虾蛄及其饵料生物的碳、氮稳定同位素比值(δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值)进行分析,定量研究不同饵料生物在口虾蛄食物中的贡献比率。结果表明,口虾蛄的δ~(13)C值为–18.1‰~–16.3‰,δ~(15)N值为10.9‰~13.5‰,平均值分别为–17.1‰±0.5‰和12.7‰±0.7‰。δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值的变化范围均较大,表明口虾蛄的食物来源较多。口虾蛄的食物主要由鱼类、虾类、贝类、蟹类和桡足类组成。其中,贝类为口虾蛄的主要食物,平均贡献率为38.6%;其次为蟹类和桡足类,平均贡献率分别为22.9%和16.0%;虾类的平均贡献率为13.6%;鱼类的平均贡献率最低,仅为8.9%。根据δ~(15)N值及营养级的计算公式得出,口虾蛄的营养级为3.01±0.22,在其5类食物中,桡足类的营养级最低,仅为1.77±0.12;其次为贝类;蟹类和虾类的营养级分别为2.78±0.21和2.89±0.16;鱼类的最高,为2.98±0.15;它们的营养级均低于口虾蛄。此外相关分析显示,口虾蛄的δ~(15)N值与其个体体质量间存在极显著的正相关关系,说明不同大小的口虾蛄营养级有所差异。     

老虎潭水库鱼类群落结构特征、营养等级及鲢、鳙生长特性研究

研究老虎潭水库鱼类资源现状、群落结构特征、营养级及主要鱼类生长特性,为水质生物调控提供基础资料。2015年2月、5月、8月和11月利用漂流混合刺网、笼壶(地笼网)和抛撒抄网采集鱼类样本,对水库鱼类资源进行了系统调查。共发现鱼类35种,隶属于4目9科。其中,鲤形目28种,占总数的80%;鲇形目和鲈形目各3种,分别占总数的8.6%;合鳃目1种,占总数的2.8%;优势种有6种,分别为鳙、鲢、翘嘴鲌、鲫、黄尾鲴和伍氏半。鲢的全长、体重生长方程分别为:L_t=110.533[1-e~(-0.386(t+0.227))]、W_t=25.138[1-e~(-0.265(t+0.136))]~(3.118),鳙的全长、体重生长方程分别为:L_t=93.042[1-e~(-0.415(t+0.223))]、W_t=12.257[1-e~(-0.415(t+0.223))]~(2.756)。老虎潭水库鲢、鳙体重增长速度以1~3龄较高,3龄以后逐渐降低,鲢、鳙体重生长拐点分别为2.721龄和2.223龄。为最大程度发挥鲢、鳙洁水保水功效,建议起捕年龄均为3龄。碳、氮稳定同位素分析结果显示:老虎潭水库2种食物源的δ~(13)C值跨度范围为-28.99‰~-24.32‰、δ~(15)N值跨度范围为5.06‰~8.19‰,浮游植物的δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N值均大于有机碎屑。26种消费者δ~(13)C值跨度范围为-27.07‰~-20.42‰,平均(-24.76±1.54)‰;δ~(15)N变化范围为8.93‰~14.88‰,平均(12.03±1.47)‰。营养级分析结果显示,26种消费者的营养级从2.18到3.61,分属于2个营养级,且与其食性特征有较好的一致性。     

中华鲎的食物组成及营养位置分析

通过对北部湾海域采集的中华鲎(Tachypleus tridentatus)样品及其食物网链中具有食源可能性的种类(虾类、蟹类、双壳类和鱼类)进行碳、氮稳定同位素(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N)比值测定,采用稳定同位素混合模型(SIAR)分析北部湾中华鲎食物组成及其营养位置。结果显示,中华鲎δ~(13)C均值为(-17.11±0.03)‰,δ~(15)N均值为(12.14±0.20)‰。SIAR模型显示双壳类为中华鲎的主要食物来源,其平均贡献率为31.27%;其次为鱼类,平均贡献率为25.91%;蟹类平均贡献率占比为23.50%;虾类平均贡献率占比最低(19.32%)。营养位置分析显示中华鲎营养位置为2.02±0.06。该研究涉及的中华鲎潜在食源样本中,鱼类、虾类和蟹类的营养位置分别为2.13±0.51、2.36±0.09和2.61±0.21。营养位置分析表明中华鲎在自然生态系统食物网中处于较为弱势的地位,在已然濒危的情况下迫切需要科学的保护措施。     

基于稳定同位素技术的天津大神堂海域人工鱼礁区食物网结构研究

本研究对2016年6月在天津大神堂3个礁区(2010年建成的鱼礁区;2012年建成的鱼礁区;2014年建成的鱼礁区)和对照区域采集的生物消费者及其食物源样品的碳、氮稳定同位素组成进行了分析,通过IsoSource模型计算不同区域生物的食物网基础,并利用氮稳定同位素数据计算消费者的营养级。结果显示,根据δ13C值可以将其食物源分为浮游植物、悬浮颗粒有机物(POM)和沉积相颗粒有机物(SOM)三类;浮游植物对消费者的碳源贡献率(67.2%~81.5%)最大,是大神堂海域的生物食物网的基础。不同区域同一食物源的δ13C和δ15N值没有显著性差异;礁区内滤食性贝类毛蚶(Arca subcrenata)、菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)和长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)的δ13C值显著高于对照区,作为潜在碳源的浮游植物对其的贡献率显著增加。消费者的δ15N值则介于7.70‰~14.34‰之间,消费者的营养级介于2.0~3.95级之间。游泳生物食性生物的δ15N和营养级在礁区内有所提高,礁区建成的年份越长,其营养级与对照区域的差别越显著。稳定同位素研究表明,人工鱼礁建设可能导致鱼礁区内滤食性生物的食物来源组成改变,并提高游泳生物食性生物的营养级。     

基于稳定同位素技术的浙江南部近海主要渔业生物营养级

2016年2月和5月在浙江南部近海拖网采集到33种鱼类和18种无脊椎动物,利用稳定同位素技术测定渔业生物的稳定碳、氮同位素比值(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N),并以此估算其营养级。研究结果表明:(1)浙江南部近海主要渔业生物同位素比值跨度范围大,δ~(13)C值范围为–19.71‰～–14.01‰(跨度5.70‰),δ15N值范围为7.05‰～13.69‰(跨度6.64‰),其中鱼类的碳、氮同位素跨度范围最大;(2)以滤食性双壳类为基线生物估算浙江南部近海鱼类平均营养级范围为2.66～4.21,甲壳类营养级范围为3.08～3.72,头足类营养级范围为2.83～3.49,腹足类营养级范围为3.54～3.62,渔业生物营养级主要处于3.0～4.0营养级,以初级和中级肉食性种类为主;(3)根据聚类和食性文献资料分析浙江南部近海主要渔业生物存在5种食性类型,包括浮游动物食性、杂食性、底栖生物食性、混合食性和游泳动物食性;(4)根据营养结构特征,浙江南部近海食物网营养结构可划分为4个营养群,初级消费者主要为杂食性种类,次级消费者主要为小型鱼类、虾类及头足类,中级消费者主要为底栖蟹类、腹足类和混合食性鱼类,高级消费者为凶猛肉食性鱼类。本研究建立了浙江南部近海主要渔业生物的连续营养谱,为生态系统的食物网能量流动和物质循环研究提供科学参考。     

渤海银鲳的营养级及摄食习性

根据2017年9—11月在渤海进行的3次定点底拖网调查采集的216个样品[包括120个银鲳(Pampus argenteus)样品, 51个饵料生物样品和45个比较研究鱼类样品],采用碳、氮稳定同位素技术测定了样品的稳定同位素比值。对银鲳各饵料种类的贡献比率进行了计算,探讨其摄食习性、营养级、生态位宽度和生态位重叠随叉长变化的特征。同时也通过对比研究验证了采用稳定同位素技术研究银鲳摄食生态的准确性。结果表明:(1)渤海银鲳的δ~(13)C值范围为-19.50‰～-14.85‰,平均值为-17.18‰,与叉长相关性不显著(r=-0.03,P=0.71);δ~(15)N值范围为11.55‰～14.77‰,平均值为13.30‰,与叉长相关性极显著,但相关强度是弱相关(r=0.26,P0.01)。(2)基于R语言的贝叶斯稳定同位素混合模型(SIAR)计算各饵料贡献率,表明渤海银鲳为杂食性,其主要饵料为底层虾类,其贡献率为11.52%～57.49%,平均贡献率为35.03%;其次是中国毛虾(Acetes chinensis),其贡献率为13.52%～42.82%,平均贡献率为27.87%。其他饵料的贡献率从高到低依次为日本枪乌贼(Loligo japonica)、浮游植物和浮游动物,其贡献率范围分别为6.41%～42.57%、0～21.33%和0～16.21%;平均贡献率分别为23.29%、8.08%和5.77%。(3)随叉长增加,银鲳的食物组成存在一定变化。生态位宽幅计算结果表明,渤海银鲳的营养生态位宽度随叉长增大存在先升高后下降的特征, 90～109 mm叉长组的生态位宽幅达到最大;但各叉长组营养生态位相似,生态位存在较多的重叠。(4)渤海银鲳的营养级范围为2.84～3.79,平均营养级为3.35;营养级随着叉长增大有升高的趋势。(5)MDS图分析得出银鲳与赤鼻棱鳀(Thryssa kammalensis)的δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值相似性最高。本研究通过碳氮稳定同位素技术对银鲳的营养级和摄食习性有了较全面的了解,对构建渤海全程食物网,进而研究其动态变化具有重要的意义。     

太湖主要鱼类食物组成

根据2004年9-12月和2005年4月的调查,研究了太湖8种鱼的食物组成.结果表明:优势种鲚主要摄食枝角类、占食物个数比例89.77%±13.69%;太湖新银鱼主要摄食桡足类、占个数比例70.11%±10.57%;鲢、鳙主要摄食微囊藻、占食物体积比例90%以上;鲤食物中水生植物约占体积比例70%;鲫主要摄食微囊藻、占体积比例93.99%±3.34%;翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌主要摄食鲚和小型鱼类.分析认为,随着太湖富营养化程度不断加重,以蓝藻为主的浮游植物食性鱼产力在快速增加,但实际渔获量以浮游动物食性鱼类为主.如2003年浮游植物食性鱼产力为10234t、占总鱼产力37.0%.而2004年实际渔获量中浮游动物食性鱼类占80%-90%,浮游植物食性鱼类渔获量仅3637.7t、占10.9%.因此,太湖现有鱼类群落组成和实际饵料构成是不吻合的.不仅如此,浮游动物食性鱼类数量的快速增加对浮游动物形成了巨大牧食压力,这更利于藻类繁殖.太湖鲫几乎完全以微囊藻为食物,可能对蓝藻暴发有抑制作用,应重新评价其对环境的影响.     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.